San Antonio Independent School District is asking voters to approve a $600 million bond package and tax rate increase. Our Editorial Board opposes most of the bond package. There are too many questions about how these bond funds would be spent and the quality of governance.
Alma E. Hernandez/For the San Antonio Express-News
We have a long record of supporting public education.
We have repeatedly called for state lawmakers to increase school funding. We have enthusiastically supported bond packages for the largest school districts in the area. While we recently opposed a property tax rate increase for the city of San Antonio, citing inflation and the rising costs of food and fuel, we still are inclined to support rate increases and bonds for school districts because we believe in investing in children and teachers.
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So it pains us to oppose much of San Antonio Independent School District’s proposed $600 million bond package.
Simply put, this is not the right time for the district, which serves about 42,000 students in the city’s core. There are just too many questions about how these funds would be spent and the quality of governance, particularly as its 2020 bond is undergoing a forensic audit with about $420 million remaining unspent.
The audit is scheduled to be completed later this month. It will then be presented to trustees at the board’s Nov. 10 audit committee meeting. But early voting begins Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
Additionally, two senior leaders have been placed on paid administrative leave in connection with questions about the 2020 bond spending.
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The district also has a new superintendent, Adrian Bustillos, hired this summer after 13 years at El Paso ISD.
Finally, this newest bond proposal is much too vague. While the district has provided a list of schools where infrastructure needs would be addressed, it is woefully short on specifics. Officials say they wanted to assign bond dollars to schools where populations were growing and avoid projects at schools that could potentially close.
“At this stage, most bond projects would not be assigned to specific campuses. Instead, decisions about where funds will be expended will be made as bonds are issued and funding becomes available over the coming years,” Laura Short, San Antonio ISD’s chief of communications, wrote to us in an email.
Before voters consider a new bond, they deserve to have all of their questions answered about the 2020 bond. And when they do consider a bond, they deserve to know how funds will be spent.
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For these reasons, we can only offer a mixed recommendation on SAISD’s bond package and proposed tax rate increase. We can only support items that we feel confident will directly support students.
Proposition A: This 3.17-cent property tax increase would generate about $5.5 million. In the first year, a portion of these funds would go toward one-time bonuses for teachers. They would otherwise be dedicated to support college- and career- readiness programs. For.
Proposition B: Would dedicate $492 million to improve and modernize campuses. The district says funds would be used on chillers, boilers, plumbing, roofing and improving security. We don’t doubt the need, but as mentioned, the projects are mostly not being assigned to specific campuses. Against.
Proposition C: Would dedicate $102 million to improve school technology, upgrading student and teacher devices as well as cybersecurity. It would serve all students. We view this as essential. For.
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Proposition D: Would dedicate $6 million for upgrades at the Alamo Stadium & Convocation Center. Against.
As we have said, it pains us to oppose much of this bond proposal, but there are too many questions about the previous bond and not enough specifics about this package to merit full support.
The district needs to reestablish community trust before asking for voter approval for so much money.